Shigoto Zukan
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Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic job outlookprojected pay in 10 years $61,200 · outlook score 27/100 · BLS employment projections

United States Manufacturing & Repair Confidence ★★★★★

Median annual pay
$49,030
25th–75th pct. $42,440–$60,130
Top pay (est.)
$89,300
Top 10% $68,720
Pay in 5 years
$54,800est.
2031
Pay in 10 years
$61,200est.
$52,600–$71,000
Outlook score
27/100
★☆☆☆☆ Weak
AI replacement risk
45%
Moderate
Job growth (10 yr)
−17.2%
600 openings / yr

Projected pay for Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic (3, 5 and 10 years)est.

Today $49,030 → in 3 years $52,400 → in 5 years $54,800 → in 10 years $61,200 (10-year range $52,600–$71,000). The model assumes pay growth of +2.2% per year.

$49,030
Now
2026
$52,400
In 3 yrs
2029
$48,400–$57,000
$54,800
In 5 yrs
2031
$49,300–$61,000
$61,200
In 10 yrs
2036
$52,600–$71,000

What drives the annual growth rate

Base wage growth +3.0%Labor demand -0.8%AI impact +0.04%Total +2.2% / yr

Projected pay = current pay × (1 + annual growth)^years. The annual growth rate starts from a base wage-growth rate and adds or subtracts labor demand (BLS projected employment growth), wage momentum and AI replacement risk for each occupation. Projections are not guarantees. How it is calculated →

Outlook score for Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

27/100
★☆☆☆☆
Weak · ranked #815 of all U.S. occupations
Pay level
30 pts
AI resistance
55 pts
Entry barrier
26 pts
Annual openings
17 pts
Projected growth
2 pts

Each component is a percentile rank among all occupations in the same country (0–100). Weights: labor demand 25, wage momentum / openings 15, pay level 15, AI resistance 25, aging workforce 10 (Japan only), entry barrier 10.

Labor demand for Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

Employment
8,930
BLS OEWS
Projected employment
7,400
2025–35
Projected change
−17.2%
ranked #806 for growth
Annual openings
600
growth + replacement needs
Demand score
Very low
9/100
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent
Work experience
None
in a related occupation
On-the-job training
Moderate-term on-the-job training

Employment projections are from the BLS Employment Projections program (2025–35). Annual openings include both new jobs and replacement of workers who leave the occupation.

Pay and employment figures are national statistics. Projected pay, outlook scores and AI replacement risk are estimates from the Shigoto Zukan model, not guarantees. To request a correction, use the contact form. How to read the data
Sources: BLS OEWS May 2025; BLS Employment Projections 2025–35; O*NET 31.0 Database by USDOL/ETA (CC BY 4.0), modified by Shigoto Zukan. Pay ranges, projections and scores are Shigoto Zukan estimates.